Sunday, September 3, 2017

Fall Soccer Starts Sunday September 10th!

Welcome back to the school year, cool weather and fall soccer. I hope you all had an excellent summer break and you're ready to resume with reality.

The fall season starts on September 10th, just 1 week away. We will run for 9 weeks, with our last game being November 5th. We will play on Columbus Day weekend.

Teams are being finalized now. You should get an email welcoming your child to her or his new team by Monday, September 4th. If you don't get it by then, contact the league, as you may not be registered properly. Please check schedule each week as times do change.

We always need volunteers for coaches and assistant coaches. This program only works with parent volunteers and we always need help. Each session we lose coaches as they move up with their kids to new age levels. Please consider helping out, your at the field anyway. There is no experience needed at this level. We do have training. If you played soccer or coached in the past that is just a bonus!

THE SEASON

We will have a 9 game season this Fall. All U7 games will be on Sunday mornings either 9:00-10:25 or 10:30-11:55. Time slot will be divided into a 40 minute skills/drills session and a 40 minute scrimmage/game, with a 5 minute break between practice and scrimmage.

THE BLOG

This Blog will be the primary source of information for schedules, cancellations, etc. This link is always on the Malden Youth Soccer website as well. It is located on the left side of the home page, along with link to U5 and U9, if needed.

Cancellations due to weather will be posted to the blog... please check it within an hour of the start time on game-day morning. If you do not have access to the internet on Sunday mornings, please let me know.

PARENTS WILL NEED TO SUPPLY...

1If you already have the correct uniform color, please use it. If not, the league will supply a shirt, shorts and socks on the first day

2Appropriate shoes. We'll play on real grass, cleats are recommended (but are not required) Sneakers are fine as well.

3Shin pads are required. Your child may be excluded from the game if this important piece of safety equipment is not used.

4Players must come to the game with their own size 3 ball with the players name on it

5Long pants and long sleeved shirts may be worn under the team uniform if desired

6Water - for frequent breaks

7A snack for between the practice and game may be desired

8Players must not wear any jewelry (earrings, watches, etc.) during the practice or game

9Parents must remain at the field with their children during the entire session

OUR PHILOSOPHY

At the U7 level we continue focusing on basic skills, and begin incorporating more of the basic rules into the experience.

Our primary focus remains providing a fun and healthy environment for the kids to discover their emerging soccer skills. We do not focus on winning. We don't keep official score, celebrate wins, or mourn losses. We strive for every player to get equal playing time, and try to keep the number of players on the field small in order to maximize opportunities to play. We reward skillful play, good attitudes and sportsmanship.

Adults, please try to keep this in mind. If you see a player on a team opposing your child's team, and that player is exceptionally good... please try to celebrate that skill as opposed to trying to suppress it. All players develop at different rates, and at this age, some kids really stand out. This is a good thing, try to not take offense by it.

Here are some additional notes about the U7 format:

1For this outdoor session we will play 6v6 including a goalie. We will use the bigger nets. Coaches may decide to change the structure as needed for a fun and fulfilling game depending on attendance.

2Coaches may decide to balance teams at game time if there is a need to equalize the number of players on each team.

3Substitutions should be made when play stops and should occur approximately every 5 - 10 minutes

4We will play with throw-ins, goalie kicks and corner kicks.

5The game will start with a kick-off at the center, as will the second half of the game

6After each goal, the team scored upon will start again by kicking-off at center. A successful kick-off means that the ball needs to roll 1 revolution forward and be touched by another player

7Hand balls result in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side

8No slide-tackling allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side

9No pushing with the arms or hands allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side

10No tripping from behind allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to the opposing side

11No checking with hips allowed, results in an INDIRECT kick to opposing side

12No off-sides called

13The coaches may decide to break for half-time

BASIC RULES FOR PARENTS

1Players must play within their designated age group.

2Players must play on the team they have been assigned to. Requests for specific teams will be honored if availability permits. Requests made close to the start of the season are often hard or impossible to accomodate for.

3At least one adult supervisor must stay during the entire session and is responsible for watching kids if they wander away from play

4Parent involvement is appreciated and encouraged when appropriate but please try not to interfere with the session

5Due to insurance rules players who are not registered with the league cannot play

6Players must not wear jewelry such as earrings, watches, necklaces, etc.